A plan to build extend the top floor and erect a further one on top of a block of flats was narrowly voted through despite strong opposition.

The accepted planning application, submitted by the building’s owner Palmhurst Regency, will allow it to extend Eaton Court, at Regency Court, in High Road, South Woodford.

It will provide six new one and two-bedroom flats for the block opposite George Lane, which currently has 160 dwellings.

The regulatory committee, at Redbridge town hall last night (November 26), heard from two people who would be affected by the build.

David Morse said the extra storey would overlook his garden in Hillcrest Road while Maryam Farahmand’s top floor flat will be built upon.

Ms Farahmand said: “South Woodford is a suburban area, we are not Ilford town centre, this will just set a precedent for further development in the area.

“The new design is out of character for the area and will have a detrimental impact to residents living in the block.”

Conservative Barkingside councillor Karen Packer said: “It is such an overdevelopment of what is currently an OK development.

“Permission was given for this block for 160 flats, they can’t just come back and ask for another storey.

“It must be awful for residents.”

Despite opposition pressure, committee councillors voted through the development by six votes to five.

A previous application for nine new flats was turned down earlier this year due to the accommodation being ruled as substandard.

Graham Murdoch, representing Palmhurst Regency at the meeting, said this new application had addressed issues by building six flats instead.

He said: “The revised scheme sets the flats further back from properties so it will not overlook them.

“The added density is appropriate for the area.

“Buildings change and are always changing.

“Additional housing needs to be provided by using existing sites more effectively.”